healsfang

Noun

(plural healsfangs orhealsfang)

(historical) In Anglo-Saxon law, a fine or mulct of uncertain character.

Origin

From Old English healsfang (“fine prescribed in substitution for capital and other punishments”, literally “neck-taking", or "taking by the neck”), equivalent to halse +‎ fang. Cognate with Icelandichálsfang (“embracing”).